note to the reader, I am moving over some of my older articles from X. So the formatting is slightly different
The Angel of the Lord Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous references to a figure known as the Angel of the Lord, an individual who appears to speak and act as God Himself. Though often referred to as an angel, upon a closer examination of the text, it reveals that this "Angel" exhibits characteristics far beyond those of a created being. We see this "Angel" has attributes such as divine authority and the ability to accept worship. Many theologians and biblical scholars believe that this figure is not a mere angel, but in fact is none other than a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. I submit to you that when we come to grasp and accept, by the Spirit's guiding, that when we look at the Angel of the Lord in the pages of our Old Testament, we are in fact beholding our Lord and Saviour Jesus. This understanding enriches our grasp of how God interacts with His people throughout Scripture and deepens our appreciation for the continuity of His redemptive plan.
This article aims to explore very briefly the biblical evidence that identifies the Angel of the Lord as the pre-incarnate Christ by examining key Old Testament passages, theological perspectives from church history, and insights from contemporary scholarship. We will also consider how this understanding helps illuminate the overarching unity between the Old and New Testaments, offering profound theological implications for how we comprehend God’s plan for salvation.
Please note this topic is a vast one, and this article is not intending to be an in depth look, but rather it is aimed at an entry level understanding, whether you are new to the christian faith or are just a layman in the pew who does not pick up many theology books, then it is my hope that this will be off help and interest to you. Distinguishing the Angel of the Lord from Other Angels Before delving into specific encounters with the Angel of the Lord, it is essential to clarify further who this figure is and how He differs from other angels mentioned in Scripture.
The Hebrew word for "angel" (malak) and its Greek counterpart (angelos) simply means "messenger," but not all angels are the same. Most angels serve as divine emissaries, delivering messages or carrying out specific commands from God. We also see from both old and New Testament that men are also refered to as angels referring to their status of messenger. So not every time we read angel should we have a heavenly creature with wings in mind.
However, the Angel of the Lord stands apart from these other two catergorys of angels. Unlike typical angels, the Angel of the Lord speaks as God, not merely on behalf of God. He declares promises, makes covenants, and executes judgment in ways that only God can. Additionally, while regular angels refuse worship (as seen in Revelation 22:8-9 when an angel rebukes the Apostle John for trying to worship him), the Angel of the Lord accepts worship without hesitation, underscoring His divine identity. These distinct actions and characteristics invite the conclusion that the Angel of the Lord is a theophany—a visible manifestation of God—and specifically a pre-incarnate revelation of Jesus Christ. Biblical Appearances of the Angel of the Lord ( a sample of some passages)
The Angel of the Lord makes several notable appearances throughout the Old Testament. In each encounter, His words and actions reveal divine authority and purpose, often foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ. Let’s explore some key examples. Hagar and the Angel of the Lord (Genesis 16:7-14) The first recorded appearance of the Angel of the Lord occurs in Genesis 16. Hagar, the servant of Sarai, has fled into the wilderness after mistreatment from her mistress. The Angel of the Lord finds her by a spring of water and speaks to her, instructing her to return to Sarai and promising, "I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude" (Genesis 16:10). This promise is reminiscent of God’s covenantal language with Abraham, indicating that the Angel is not merely relaying a message from God, but is God Himself making the promise, note how the Angel speaks "I will multiply..." Hagar, in response, refers to the Angel as "the God who sees" (Genesis 16:13). She recognizes that this encounter is more than an interaction with a created being, she in fact realises she has beheld her creator face to face. This "Angel" sees her affliction and offers divine comfort and assurance, something only God can provide. The Angel of the Lord here demonstrates not only divine authority but also compassion and care for the work of HIs hands, traits later fully revealed in Christ’s earthly ministry as we often see Him interact in a similarly compassionate way with His female disciples.
The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:11-18) One of the most profound theophanies involving the Angel of the Lord occurs in Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. As Abraham raises the knife to obey, the Angel of the Lord calls out from heaven, halting him at the last moment. "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me" (Genesis 22:12). Here, the Angel speaks in the first person, claiming that the sacrifice was intended for Him. Note also that this "Angel" countermanded a command from Almighty God. God commanded the sacrifice of Issac, but the Angel of the Lord tells Abraham not to do it. Now before anyone asks, no this does not show any disunity within the Godhead. Issac was never going to be sacrificed, Abrahams faith in God was being tested. However this shows us two very important things, first that the Angel had the authority to countermand a previous command and issue a new command. Something a created being would never have the authority to do or indeed would ever dare to do. Secondly look at Abrahams reaction, much like Hagar, he knows that his Lord has spoken to him and he obeys. It is not the point of this article to touch on this issue, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that it is my deeply held conviction that the patriarchs did indeed know that there was plurality of person within the nature of God. Now coming back to the speech of the AoTL pay careful attention to what He doesn’t say, He does not say “You have not withheld your son from God,” but rather, He does say “from Me,” clearly identifying Himself as God. This would be a blasphemous statement coming from a created being, and in my opinion it destroys the view of those who say this is a case of regency, i.e the AoTL comes in God's name and speaks in God's name but is not in fact God. The Angel then reiterates God’s covenant with Abraham, swearing by Himself that Abraham’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars of the sky (Genesis 22:16-18). This act of swearing by His own name is a profound assertion of divine authority, for God alone can swear by Himself, and His unchanging nature(Hebrews 6:13). The significance of this passage is magnified when we consider it as a foreshadowing of Christ, who would later be the sacrificial Lamb, taking the place of sinners. The Angel of the Lord’s role in sparing Isaac points forward to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, highlighting His pre-incarnate involvement in the unfolding of the plan of salvation in history.
Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-6) One of the most famous theophanies in the Old Testament is the encounter between Moses and the Angel of the Lord at the burning bush. In Exodus 3, the Angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a flame of fire, calling to him from within the bush. As Moses approaches, the Angel declares, "I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). This explicit identification with the God of the patriarchs leaves no room for doubt: the Angel of the Lord is God Himself. To deny such a plain reading of the scripture is nothing more than an intentional butchering and an attempt at mental gymnastics to try and get away from what the text clearly states. The holiness of the encounter is further emphasized when Moses is commanded to remove his sandals, as the ground on which he stands is holy. This scene is a critical moment in redemptive history, as God commissions Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, foreshadowing Christ’s future role as the ultimate deliverer, delievering His people from the slavery of sin and death and crushing the Devil under His feet. The burning bush also reveals the nature of the Angel of the Lord as both transcendent (the fire that does not consume) and immanent (the God who draws near to His people). These are qualities we later see fully embodied in Christ.
The Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15) In Joshua 5, as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure identified as the Commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua asks, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" to which the figure replies, "No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come" (Joshua 5:14). Joshua immediately falls to the ground in worship, and the Commander instructs him to remove his sandals, echoing the command given to Moses at the burning bush. While the text does not explicitly refer to this figure as the Angel of the Lord, the divine nature of the encounter is unmistakable. No created angel would accept worship, and the holiness of the ground signals the presence of God Himself as seen with Moses and the Burning Bush. Many scholars, therefore rightly conclude that this is another manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ, leading His people into battle, just as He would later lead His church in spiritual warfare. For as Jesus is Leader of the Heavenly Host, He is also Head over His Church. Gideon and the Angel of the Lord (Judges 6:11-24)
In Judges 6, we find Gideon hiding from the Midianites when the Angel of the Lord appears to him. The Angel commissions Gideon to deliver Israel from their oppressors, declaring, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). Note also in v14 we have recorded "And the Lord looked upon him,..." Moses our author tells us clearly that the AoTL that looks upon Gideon, is in fact The Lord. Gideon, initially doubtful and undoubtedly daunted at the command to deliver Israel from such a fierce enemy, asks how it could be so, and the Angel responds by promising to be with him and grant him great victory, echoing God's words to Moses. Gideon however still unsure asks for sign, that the Angel may recieve his offering presented to Him. The AoTL not only accepts being given an offering but touching Gideon’s offering with the tip of His staff, causing fire to rise from the rock and consume it as the AoTL departs from His sight (judges 6:21) likely ascending in the offering as seen in(Judges 13:20). Gideon then realizes that he has seen the Angel of the Lord face to face and fears for his life, but the Lord reassures him, saying, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die" (Judges 6:23). Once again, we see the Angel of the Lord acting not merely as a messenger, but as God Himself, accepting worship and providing miraculous signs. This encounter also highlights the Angel’s role in commissioning God’s chosen instruments for His redemptive work, foreshadowing Christ’s role in calling and empowering His disciples.
The Angel and Joshua the High Priest (Zechariah 3:1-5) In Zechariah 3, we encounter a courtroom scene where Joshua the high priest stands before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan accusing him. The Angel of the Lord rebukes Satan, saying, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!" (Zechariah 3:2). The Angel then commands that Joshua’s filthy garments be removed and declares that his iniquity has been taken away. This passage is especially powerful because it portrays the Angel of the Lord acting as advocate, removing Joshua’s sin and clothing him in clean robes. The role of intercessor points forward to Christ, who removes our sin and clothes us in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Angel’s authority over Satan and His role in justification aligns perfectly with the work of Jesus.
Theological Implications: The Angel of the Lord as Christ, The cumulative evidence from these Old Testament passages leads to a compelling conclusion in my eyes and hopefully yours: that the Angel of the Lord is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Several key theological points reinforce this identification: Divine Authority and Identity The Angel of the Lord consistently speaks and acts with the authority of God, often referring to Himself in the first person as the one who makes covenants, delivers promises, and executes judgment. This is not the role of a created angel but rather of God Himself. Furthermore, in Exodus 23:20-21, God tells the Israelites that He will send an "Angel" to lead them, and that this Angel will bear His name and have the authority to forgive sins—again, these roles/attributes are reserved exclusively for God, and we do not read of anyone else in all of scripture with them. This unique Angel cannot be anyone but the pre-incarnate Christ, who in His earthly ministry has the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). Acceptance of Worship As noted earlier, angels in Scripture never accept worship, but the Angel of the Lord does. Both Joshua and Gideon fall in worship before Him, and He does not rebuke them. This acceptance of worship is a key indicator of the Angel’s divine identity, pointing to His pre-incarnate role as Christ, who is rightly worshiped as God.
Christ’s Pre-Existence and Eternal Activity The New Testament clearly teaches that Christ existed before His incarnation as seen in John 1. Likeswise in John 8:58, Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was, I am," identifying Himself as being pre-existent. Colossians 1:16-17 and John 1:1-3 affirm that Christ was active in creation and has always existed as the eternal Word of God. Given this pre-existence, it is entirely consistent to see Christ appearing in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord, interacting with humanity before His incarnation. Historical and Theological Support The view that the Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ is not a new interpretation.
Early Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian all argued for this identification, seeing the Angel as a manifestation of the Logos, the pre-incarnate Word of God. Justin Martyr, in his Dialogue with Trypho, explicitly identifies the Angel of the Lord as Christ, noting that the same divine figure who appeared to the patriarchs is the one who took on flesh. Many of the magisterial Reformers, including John Calvin, also supported this view. Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, argued that the Angel of the Lord who appeared to the patriarchs was none other than Christ, the eternal Son of God, who has always been the mediator between God and humanity. Contemporary theologians such as Michael Heiser and Walter Kaiser have further explored this concept. Heiser, in his work on the unseen realm, highlights the Angel of the Lord’s unique role as both distinct from and yet fully one with God, pointing to the Trinitarian nature of the Godhead. Kaiser emphasizes the continuity between the Angel’s mediatorial role in the Old Testament and Christ’s work in the New Testament, underscoring the unity of God’s redemptive plan. Christ’s
Unfolding Revelation in the Old and New Testaments Recognizing the Angel of the Lord as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ profoundly impacts how we read both the Old and New Testaments. It highlights the unity of Scripture and the consistency of God’s revelation. The same God who spoke to Abraham, Moses, and Joshua is the God who took on flesh. The Angel of the Lord’s appearances in the Old Testament were glimpses of the fuller revelation that was to come, they pointed forward to the incarnation, where Christ would ultimately accomplish God’s plan of redemption. The theological implications of this understanding are vast. It demonstrates that God’s plan of salvation has been in motion since the very beginning, with Christ actively involved in every step. The Angel of the Lord’s role in delivering and guiding God’s people foreshadowed Christ’s work as the Good Shepherd, leading His flock through the wilderness of this world to the promised rest of eternal life.
Conclusion The Angel of the Lord is not merely a mysterious figure confined to the pages of the Old Testament. Rather, He is a profound manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ, actively participating in the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. Through His appearances to Hagar, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Gideon, the Angel reveals God’s presence, power, and covenantal faithfulness in ways that point directly to Christ. By recognizing the Angel of the Lord as Christ, we gain a deeper appreciation for the unity of God’s revelation across both Testaments. From the beginning of human history, Christ has been at work, revealing God’s character, delivering His people, and pointing them toward the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises in His life, death, and resurrection. As we study these Old Testament theophanies, we are reminded that the same Christ who appeared to the patriarchs and prophets is the One who saves and sustains us today, guiding us into the fullness of God’s eternal promises.
Further Reading
1. Michael S. Heiser- The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible
2. Walter C. Kaiser Jr.- The Messiah in the Old Testament
3. James Montgomery Boice- The Christ of the Old Testament
4. Robert L. Reymond- Jesus: Divine Messiah-The New and Old Testament Witness
5. Benjamin Warfield-The Christology of the Old Testament
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The Layman Apologist